Sydney Eats: Din Tai Fung

When Dad announced that we were spending Christmas in Australia, everyone was ecstatic.  Well... big mistake.  While spending Christmas SEASON there was nice, spending Christmas DAY itself was not.  Why?  Because nothing was open, that's why!  So we had no choice but to find something that was open for sure.  It was a toss up between finding a hotel or spending it in a casino.  Guess which one won?  Well, the casino did.  We figured there was nothing much to do after eating in a hotel, so might as well spend it in the casino, where there's a bit more to do.

On Christmas day, the whole family trooped over to The Star Casino.  Since we had dinner plans at a buffet restaurant there, we chose something light for lunch.  And if the task of choosing were in my parents' hands, then you betcha they're going for Chinese.  Yes.  Chinese.  Again.  Din Tai Fung, here we come!

I've written about Din Tai Fung before, having tried it in Hong Kong.  Also got to try it in Taiwan and in Singapore, so yes, I'm no Din Tai Fung newbie.  So before we even started ordering, I already knew what I'm having!

Din Tai Fung at The Star

But unlike other Din Tai Fung outlets we've tried in other countries, Din Tai Fung at The Star Casino is just part of their foodcourt.  No biggie.  I'm not one to discriminate against foodcourt eats.  In fact, some of the best meals I've had came from the foodcourt!

Steamed Pork Dumpling

Not as tasty as the one I'm accustomed to.

Crab Meat and Roe with Pork Dumpling

Err... not as good either.

Dan Dan Noodle (Peanut Sauce)

Nope, not impressed.

Fried Pork Chop

Edible, but nothing special.

Egg Fried Rice with Green Bean and Minced Pork 

And finally, they got one thing right.  The egg fried rice!  Geez, how I wished we just ordered one cup each and be done with it.  Green beans were not bad either.

The verdict?  1 out of 5 stars.  Why, Din Tai Fung, why???  Next time, I'll be sure to just eat this restaurant on an Asian country.  I don't mean to discriminate, but really, Din Tai Fung just tastes way better in other countries.  Oh and from what I've heard, they're coming to Manila this year!  Fingers crossed that they'll be able to replicate the original and surpass the other leading xiao long bao restaurants that are already established and well known here.  

Din Tai Fung is at The Star Casino, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia